Latest News

Birth Action Coalition to Protest New St. John’s Camarillo Decision to Ban Nurse-Midwives

Latest News: Report from Ventura County Star

Community activist organization to bring together members of community who are concerned and outraged to protest a recent policy approved at by St. John’s Hospital (St. John’s is part of Catholic Healthcare West).

On Friday, February 12 from 11:00am until 1:00pm members and supporters of the Birth Action Coalition (BAC) will gather in front of St. John’s Hospital & Corporate Offices (at the corner of Rose & Gonzalez) in Oxnard to protest the policy banning nurse-midwives from attending births at Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo. The policy was approved by the Medical Executive Committee at St. John’s and was supported by the Board of Directors. BAC is holding this protest to further our mission of creating a supportive birth environment for all birthing women in our area by demanding that St. Johns’ reinstate the privileges of all nurse-midwives at Pleasant Valley Hospital.  read more »

Women Create Boutique - December 5th 2009

Come to “Women Create” a holiday boutique & silent auction, for women, by women to benefit birthing women in our community! Women artists of all sorts will present their wares for sale with at least 50% of proceeds going to the Birth Action Coalition. Join us for merry making and to support the Birth Action Coalition! This Saturday, December 5 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Sunrise Birthing Center; 12 N. Ash Street, Ventura, CA. For more information and to see a list of artists and entertainment at the event please see: http://www.womencreateboutique.org/.

Birth Action Coalition Member and Medical Advisor Interviewed in Time Magazine

Birth Action Coalition Member and Santa Barbara Resident Jessica Barton was recently interviewed in Time Magazine about her current plans for a VBAC, And BAC Medical Advisor, Dr. Stuart J. Fischbein was quoted as well.  read more »

For many pregnant women in America, it is easier today to walk into a hospital and request major abdominal surgery than it is to give birth as nature intended. Jessica Barton knows this all too well. Read the article.

Dr. Stuart J. Fischbein to Speak at Controversies in Childbirth Conference

The Birth Action Coalition is pleased to announce that our Medical Advisor Dr. Stuart J.  read more »

Homebirth after Cesarean: The Myth and the Reality by Amy V. Haas

“Homebirth after cesarean” is a phrase that garners mixed reactions—most of them negative. “Why?” or “Are you insane?” they ask. The people who make these comments, however, usually have no idea about the realities of birth in the US.

My phone rang one afternoon. It was a woman looking for a care provider to attend the birth of her next child at home. I offered to send her the midwives list.

“I won’t go back to a hospital unless I am unconscious,” she told me.

Read the article from Midwifery Today.

Hospital Policies are Placing 73-80% of Women at Increased Risk of Morbidity

From an article in the September issue of the American Journal of Ob.Gyn by Rossi (AJOG,  Sept 2008, pages 224 to 230): "These findings show that a higher risk of uterine rupture/dehiscence in women planning a VBAC than in an elective repeat c/section (ERCS) is counterbalanced by reduction of maternal morbidity, uterine rupture/dehiscence and hysterectomy when VBAC is successful.
 read more »

Even in the Rain We Spoke Out for Birth Choices!


Some panel members with Ricki Lake.
From Left, Back Row: Mary Jackson RN LM RCST, Dr. Stuart J. Fischbein MD FACOG, Ana P. Markel CD ICCE
Front Row: Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark MD, Ricki Lake, Kimberly Rivers (BAC Parent Coordinator), Virginia Bobro, Certified Birthing From Within Doula & Childbirth Mentor, CD, IBCLC

Activist moms campaign to get more local hospitals to allow natural deliveries after Caesarean sections

By Kim Lamb Gregory
September 28, 2008

The contractions began just after midnight on Sept. 7. Gwen Cornell got out of bed, wondering if she should wake her husband, Ira. He was exhausted after working all day in his business as an electrical contractor.

She was seized with another contraction. Had it been only 10 minutes?

Read the rest of the article:
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/sep/28/birth-rights/